§ 4. Mrs. Middletonasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what amounts of natural gas sludge gas and methane gas from coalmines exist in this country; what use is made of them for supplementary coal gas supplies, generating electricity and making carbon black and other chemicals; and/or what use for such purposes is projected.
§ Mr. Shinwellfollowing is the information:
Natural gas.
The total production of natural gas in the United Kingdom is small and is considered to be declining. About 200,000 cubic feet/day is available at present. Exploration is continuing and if sufficient quantities are available the gas will be used as a fuel.
Sludge gas.
It is estimated that if the whole population of the United Kingdom were served by sewage works, there would be available 28,000,000 cubic feet of methane a day but after providing power at the works the surplus available would be small. Only from sewage works serving large cities is a sufficient quantity available for supplementary gas supplies and in some cases this is being used and in others it is under consideration.
Methane from coal mines.
There is a considerable quantity of methane in coal mines but the excessive dilution of the gas necessary to avoid an explosive mixture renders it impossible to use the gas. In some cases borings are made to release the gas so as to prevent it getting into the coal seams and such gas has been put to use. It is the policy of the National Coal Board to consider all means of using the gas and experiments will continue. The quantity of methane available from these three sources is not at present sufficient for the production of carbon black and chemicals on an economic basis or for the generation of electricity.